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My baby has cradle cap – should I wash his hair more often?

BABY CARE:

Cradle cap is a very common infant condition which tends to occur in babies under the age of six months, but can also affect older babies and toddlers. It is thought to be caused by the hormones left in your baby's body after pregnancy and the symptoms usually appear within a few weeks after birth.

The symptoms of cradle cap can range from white dandruff-like flakes on your baby’s scalp, to greasy yellow scaly patches that crust as they dry out. Cradle cap is usually contained to the scalp, but can come down around baby’s forehead, ears and eyebrows.

Tip: If your baby has cradle cap, try to wash his hair regularly with a pH-balanced baby shampoo and carefully massage it into your baby's hair to create a lather. Rinse carefully, taking great care not to get any suds in baby's eyes. After washing, gently comb or use a soft-bristled baby brush to loosen the flakes.

Alternatively, apply a small drop of mild baby oil or olive oil to your baby's head and massage gently. If you want, leave the oil on overnight, and then gently brush off any loosened flakes in the morning, before washing off any remaining oil with a suitable baby shampoo.

Never pick at or try to remove the flakes as this may lead to bleeding and could cause infection. Continue to treat your baby's cradle cap in this manner until the flaky skin has cleared up. If the condition does not improve or gets worse, then seek medical advice.

This article has been sponsored by the JOHNSON’S® brand.

Has your little one had cradle cap? We would love you to share any tips below!